Effect of Environmental Enrichment on Growth and Hematology in SD Rats

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-5817.2016.01.008

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To study the effect of environmental enrichment on the growth and hematology of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Method Forty-eight weaned 3-week old SD rats (male:female = 1:1) were allocated randomly to standard laboratory cages and enriched cages which were consisted of small sticks for grinding and wood-wool as nesting materials. The growth rate and food consumption were monitored. The rats were sacrificed at 32 weeks of age, and the indexes of organ weight, hematology and biochemistry were measured and analyzed. Results The food consumption of male rats in enriched cages was significantly increased between 10 and 19 weeks, but the weight gain was not significantly different compared to the standard group. The total serum protein, albumin and cholesterol were also increased significantly. No significant difference was found in the growth rate, food consumption or serum biochemistry in the female rats. The weights of epididymis of male rats and the weights of heart, liver of female rats were increased significantly. However, there was no significant difference for other organs. In addition, environmental enrichment showed significant impact on the erythrocyte, hemoglobin and platelet in the female rats, but not the male rats. Conclusions The environmental enrichment can alter the growth and hematology in SD rats to some degree, so the researchers need to pay attention on designing environmental enrichment strategies .

Key words: Environmental enrichment, Growth and development, Animal welfare, Hematology, Serum biochemical

CLC Number:

R33Q95-33

LIU Shuai, LI Jun-yan, CHEN Wei, ZHANG Qi, LV Sai. Effect of Environmental Enrichment on Growth and Hematology in SD Rats[J]. Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine, 2016, 36(1): 41-47.

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